About a year and a half ago, my boyfriend lost his job. And when I say he "lost" his job, I mean his brother-in-law fired him for no particular reason other than for vengeful spite. So it was labelled "restructuring" and he walked away with a three month severance package. But, let me tell you - three months is not a long time... especially when there are NO jobs in the area similar to what he was doing.
So, after the three-month severance ran it, we lived off my paycheque and our savings accounts. Plans for vacations, improvements to the house, possibly a wedding... all put on hold. We renegotiated the mortgage to a smaller monthly payment more feasible on my salary. We cancelled trips. We limited social engagements. We started fighting incessantly. I lost my appetite and almost 20 pounds. I accepted a job two hours home because it was a chance for me to start fresh and make more money. We essentially fell apart financially, emotionally, and physically.
We went almost 6 months on my sole income. When he did find a job, it was part-time and dismal, but any income was better than no income. They he was layed off again for two months in the summer and had to start the job search all over again. And finally, he landed another entry level job with some potential for advancement. To be honest, I'm not sure how we survived. But, I think the bigger point is that we did. There were definitely some dark and dismal days. I spent almost a year of my life in tears. Nothing made sense. Hard work didn't seem to matter. There was no light at the end of the tunnel.
But then, as suddenly as it went bad, it started to turn around. There was more money in the bank. My appetite came back. We started talking again. We started making plans again... maybe a small trip away in the summer, weddings, babies... And just like that, the light came on in the tunnel. It wasn't easy. It wasn't fun. But, it did remind me that we can all fall. But, you never fall all that far if you have valued friends and family to help you though it.
So, thank you to my friends and to my family. You sincerely helped us recover from what was a not-so-little setback.
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